Access as much archive material, like photographs, official forms and press clippings, as your family possesses. Talk to family members, gathering their impressions of you as a child. Take written notes, or use a dictation recorder, if they are comfortable with this. Talk to childhood friends about the times you shared.
Write down your account of your childhood using the data you have gathered to corroborate and structure your memories. Use either a pen and paper or your home computer.
Using the methods outlined in Steps 1 and 2, write down the facts and opinions that best describe the various stages of your life, from schooldays through your working life to retirement, if applicable. Cutting your life story into sections will make the task more manageable. Collate as much data as you can before starting to write. This helps you keep your narrative orderly and accurate.
Write all the sections you deem necessary and collect them in an initial draft document. Check the document for spelling and grammatical errors. Use a dictionary to ensure you have used words correctly and a thesaurus, to avoid over-reliance upon particular words.
If you intend to submit the document to publishers, ask someone with good language skills to proofread it. Incorporate their changes into the document before submitting it. If you have written the autobiography for your personal satisfaction or to pass on to family members later, store it securely until the time comes for it to be read.